Identifying Data 2023/24
Subject (*) Theory of Architecture Code 630G02025
Study programme
Grao en Estudos de Arquitectura
Descriptors Cycle Period Year Type Credits
Graduate 2nd four-month period
Third Obligatory 6
Language
Spanish
Galician
English
Teaching method Face-to-face
Prerequisites
Department Proxectos Arquitectónicos, Urbanismo e Composición
Coordinador
Agrasar Quiroga, Fernando
E-mail
fernando.agrasar@udc.es
Lecturers
Agrasar Quiroga, Fernando
García Requejo, Zaida
Paz Agras, Luz
E-mail
fernando.agrasar@udc.es
zaida.garcia@udc.es
luz.paz.agras@udc.es
Web http://http://etsa.udc.es/web/
General description Os presupostos e obxectivos básicos da docencia desta materia cuatrimestral son:

A necesidade de abordar a comprensión do fenómeno arquitectónico dende o mundo das ideas, entendendo a reflexión como parte substancial da creación artística.

A toma de conciencia do estreito vínculo dos sistemas de pensamento e os resultados creativos coas circunstancias do seu propio tempo. A nosa comprensión dos mesmos está, necesariamente, tamizada pola nosa propia perspectiva temporal.

O fío conductor utilizado no curso é o valor da doble natureza artística e técnica da arquitectura, contemplando todas as súas implicacións: perceptivas, formais, sociais, morais, estéticas,…

Os textos de arquitectos e pensadores e as circunstancias históricas do seu tempo leranse en paralelo, nunha continua relación de causa-efecto, xunto coas obras arquitectónicas e outras manifestacións artísticas, consideradas dende unha triple perspectiva: técnica, artística e social.

Os primeiros temas do programa incidirán na teoría arquitectónica anterior á experiencia moderna, como necesaria preparación á comprensión deste fenómeno, que centrará a maior parte dos contidos do cuatrimestre.

A materia, TEORÍA DA ARQUITECTURA, estructúrase en 15 temas, agrupados en 6 bloques. En cada tema, exporanse contidos explicativos e unha serie de exemplos de análise, nos que o feito arquitectónico será estudiado a través dos seus soportes teóricos.

Study programme competencies
Code Study programme competences
A38 "Ability to take part in the preservation, restoration and renovation of the built heritage (T) "
A40 Ability to practise architectural criticism
A48 Adequate knowledge of general theories of form, composition and architectural types
A51 Adequate knowledge of the methods of studying the social requirements, living conditions, habitability and basic housing programmes
A52 "Adequate knowledge of ecology, sustainability and the principles of conservation of energy and environmental resources. "
A53 Adequate knowledge of the architectural, urban and landscape traditions of Western culture, as well as their technical, climatic, economic, social and ideological foundationsxicos.
A54 Adequate knowledge of aesthetics and theory and history of fine arts and applied arts
A55 Adequate knowledge of the relationship between cultural patterns and social responsibilities of the architect
A57 Adequate knowledge of urban sociology, theory, economics and history
A63 Development, presentation and public review before a university jury of an original academic work individually elaborated and linked to any of the subjects previously studied
B2 Students can apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and have competences that can be displayed by means of elaborating and sustaining arguments and solving problems in their field of study
B3 Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) to inform judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues
B4 Students can communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist public
B5 Students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high level of autonomy
B6 Knowing the history and theories of architecture and the arts, technologies and human sciences related to architecture
B7 Knowing the role of the fine arts as a factor that influences the quality of architectural design
B12 Understanding the relationship between people and buildings and between these and their environment, and the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them according to the needs and human scale
C1 Adequate oral and written expression in the official languages.
C4 Exercising an open, educated, critical, committed, democratic and caring citizenship, being able to analyse facts, diagnose problems, formulate and implement solutions based on knowledge and solutions for the common good
C6 Critically evaluate the knowledge, technology and information available to solve the problems they must face
C7 Assuming as professionals and citizens the importance of learning throughout life
C8 Valuing the importance of research, innovation and technological development for the socioeconomic and cultural progress of society.

Learning aims
Learning outcomes Study programme competences
Comprender o fenómeno arquitectónico dente o mundo das ideas, entendendo a reflexión como parte substancial da creación artística. A38
A40
A48
A51
A52
A53
A54
A55
A57
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
B7
C1
C4
C6
C7
C8
Analizar o estreito vínculo dos sistemas de pensamento e os resultados creativos coas circunstancias do seu propio tempo. A38
A40
A48
A51
A52
A53
A54
A55
A57
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
B7
B12
C1
C4
C6
C7
C8
Relacionar o estudo da forma arquitectónica coas principais xustificacións da mesma: tectónicas, funcionais, morais, estéticas, etc. A38
A40
A48
A51
A53
A54
A55
A57
A63
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
B7
B12
C1
C4
C6
C7
C8
Analizar a relación entre os textos de arquitectos e pensadores, xunto coas obras arquitectónicas e outras manifestacións artísticas, e as circunstancias históricas do seu tempo. A38
A40
A48
A51
A52
A53
A54
A55
A57
A63
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
B7
B12
C1
C4
C6
C7
C8
Comprender o fenómeno da experiencia moderna partir do coñecemento da teoría arquitectónica anterior. A38
A40
A48
A51
A52
A53
A54
A55
A57
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
B7
B12
C1
C4
C6
C7
C8
Argumentar a relación existente entre a produción arquitectónica contemporánea e as experiencias previas. A38
A40
A48
A51
A52
A53
A54
A55
A57
A63
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
B7
B12
C1
C4
C6
C7
C8

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
PART I [Introduction] 1 The origin of architectural thought: classic treatises
The encoded architecture: architecture and culture. Origins and evolution: the primitive hut, from Vitruvius to Laugier
The classic language: Schinkel, from origins to modernity

2 Forms of technique: matter, construction and thought
Forms of beauty: art, aesthetics and thought
Forms of social: politics, moral and thought

PART II. TECHNIQUE AND MODERNITY 3 Semper: architecture and evolution
Breakdown and classic legacy: Arts&Crafts, Viollet-le-Duc, Modernisms and the first Wright

4 Industry and architecture. The standardization issue: from Paxton to the Deutscher Werkbund
Mechanization and architecture: the Chicago School

5 Mies van der Rohe and the transcended technique

PART III. ART AND MODERNITY 6 The Viennese laboratory: Wagner, Hoffmann and Loos

7 Modernity in America: Wright

8 The intellectualization of art: Expressionism, Bauhaus, Neoplasticism

9 Le Corbusier: art and technique

PART IV. SOCIAL AND MODERNITY 10 Russian Avant-garde: Suprematism Vs Productivism
Futurism and revolution

11 The ABC group: politics and architecture

PARTE V. TOWARDS OUR PRESENT: THE MODERNITY CRISIS 12 The other Modernities: the Nordic, Italian and Spanish interpretations
From formal containment to formal exaltation: Rudolf Schindler

13 New methodologies: Structuralism
Social dynamics after the II World War: the last Mies and the Smitshsons

PART VI [Conclusions] 14 Architectural thought and Contemporaneity: from Complexity and contradiction to Delirious New York
From the Situationist theory to the architecture of spectacle

15 New perspectives after the 2007 crisis: social responsibility and environmental awareness; from Buckmister Fuller to today.
CONCLUSIONS


Planning
Methodologies / tests Competencies Ordinary class hours Student’s personal work hours Total hours
Supervised projects A38 A40 B2 B3 B4 B5 B12 15 42 57
Mixed objective/subjective test B6 B7 C1 C4 C7 3 42 45
Events academic / information B5 B6 B7 C1 C4 C6 C8 0 3 3
Guest lecture / keynote speech A48 A51 A52 A53 A54 A55 A57 A63 C6 C8 42 0 42
 
Personalized attention 3 0 3
 
(*)The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies Description
Supervised projects Methodology designed to promote the autonomous learning of students, under the tutelage of the teacher and in various settings (academic and professional). It is primarily concerned with learning "how to do things." It is an option based on students taking responsibility for their own learning.
This teaching system is based on two basic elements: the autonomous learning of the students and the monitoring of this learning by the teacher-tutor.
Mixed objective/subjective test Test that integrates test-type test questions and objective test-type questions.
For essay questions, collect open-ended essay questions. Also, as objective questions, you can combine multiple choice, ordering, short answer, discrimination, completion, and / or associated questions.
Events academic / information Attendance at cultural events (congresses, lectures, conferences, etc), organized by the ETSAC, DPAUC, etc, indicated by the teaching staff of the subject, as part of the teaching content of the course, with the aim of providing students with knowledge and current experiences on the subject.
Preparation of material synthesis of the work carried out in the subject for its joint exhibition at the end of the course, in the event organized by the Department of Architectural Projects, Urbanism and Composition: "Arquitecturas en Curso DPAUC" (panels, models, drawings, videos, texts , performances, ...)
Guest lecture / keynote speech Oral presentation supplemented with the use of audiovisual media and the introduction of some questions addressed to students, with the purpose of transmitting knowledge and facilitating learning.
A maxistral class is also known as a "lecture", "expository method" or "maxistral lesson". This last modality only reserves a special type of lesson taught by a teacher on special occasions, with a content that supposes an original elaboration and based on non-use, exclusive case gives word as a means of transmitting information to the audience.

Personalized attention
Methodologies
Events academic / information
Supervised projects
Description
The workshop will be developed with works that link texts and ideas with architectural works. Groups will be conformed with three students asignated at class.


Assessment
Methodologies Competencies Description Qualification
Supervised projects A38 A40 B2 B3 B4 B5 B12 The mark of the practical works in group could be 2 points as a maximun. These are compulsory to pass the subject.
20
Mixed objective/subjective test B6 B7 C1 C4 C7 At the end of the course, there is an exam referred to all the contents of the course. This will be a 80% of the final mark. It is necessary to have a 4 (the maximun is 10) to be considerated to pass the subject, depending on the mark of the workshop. 80
 
Assessment comments

Classes attendance (80%) will be required to develop the workshop and the exam.

In order to take part in the second opportunity of each call, it will be essential to have delivered, in the first, the work developed during the course and reviewed by the teachers of the subject. This supervised work can be expanded and corrected to be re-evaluated at the second opportunity.

The repeating students who in previous calls had followed or course, delivered and approved the workshop, will have two options that they must choose at the beginning of the course:

1 Take the subject as if they were first-time students.

2 Take a subject without developing the workshop. In case of opting for this second modality, the final qualification will be, only, obtained in the mixed test.

Examination in advance: To be examined in advance, general conditions are the same of the previous course.  

Measures for part time students and exemption of attendance: not contemplated.  

Plagiarism.  Regarding plagiarism, the rules of Art. 14th of the  “Normas de avaliación, revisión e reclamación das cualificacións dos estudos de grao e mestrado universitario da UDC”, should be followed. "A detection of plaxium, as well as the fraudulent performance of tests or evaluation activities, once verified, it will directly imply a failing grade (0) in the matter of the corresponding call, thus invalidating the grade obtained in all the evaluation activities for the extraordinary call."


Sources of information
Basic KRUFT, Hanno-Walter (1994). A History of Architectural Theory. Princeton Architectural Press
KRUFT, Hanno-Walter (1990). Historia de la teoría de la arquitectura (2 vol). Madrid: Alianza Forma
AGRASAR, Fernando (2008). Introducción al conocimiento de la arquitectura. A Coruña: COAG
CURTIS, William (2006). La Arquitectura Moderna desde 1900. Londres, Nueva York: PHAIDON
CURTIS, William (2013). Modern Architecture Since 1900. London, New York: PHAIDON
HEREU, P., MONTANER, J.M., OLIVERAS, J., (1994). Textos de arquitectura de la modernidad. Madrid: Nerea

General bibliography is short and substantial to help to complete master classes. 

Besides this general bibliography, a specific one was elaborated for each subject and will be available at the Moodle platform. 

Complementary


Recommendations
Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before
Introduction to Architecture/630G02005
History of Art/630G02015

Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously

Subjects that continue the syllabus
Theory of Contemporary Intervention/630G02061

Other comments


(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.